Written piece
Red Thread
Timothy Pwee
Singapore
About this piece
The red thread at a Chinese wake is worn around the finger to trap any ill fortune so that the visitor, after paying respect to the dead, leaves unharmed. This story subverts the function of the red thread, portraying it as a means of attracting good fortune instead.
Soh's wake was held at the void deck below his government flat. Each table there had a bowl of sweets, melon seeds and red thread – meant to attract and trap any ill fortune. The thread should be discarded on the way home.
Ben was there when I arrived, quietly extracting kernels from the melon seeds. I paid my respects to Soh and offered my condolences to his son. Then I joined Ben.
Ben, Soh and I were school friends before we went to different universities. I hardly kept in touch, only attending our annual reunion organised by Soh, the social convenor.
"Soh went fast after his stroke," Ben said.
Ben and Soh had maintained contact as their wives knew each other.
Looking around I was surprised that all 20 tables were filled.
Ben said, "Some classmates were here earlier and more are coming tomorrow."
Ben indicated a couple and said, "Herman coached a youth football team with Soh at the Community Club."
A group occupying two tables rose to leave. Ben cocked his head and said, “They’re heritage guides. Soh was a volunteer."
"How did he manage to do so much?" I wondered aloud.
"Soh was a natural, remembering every detail of everybody’s lives."
"Yeah, he always sent me birthday greetings."
After a long pause, Ben said, "Soh told me about your divorce. I'm so sorry."
"Yeah," I sighed. "She was always travelling. We hardly saw each other. I suppose it had to happen."
We chatted for a bit. Before leaving, I wrapped a red thread around my finger. On the bus home, I was about to toss it but stopped suddenly. I looked at it again and thought of my empty home.
Perhaps some of Soh's luck might rub off.
I slipped the red thread into my wallet instead.